BREAKING: 3 generations of advocates, vets fighting for repeal of DADT facing arrest at White House

Washington, DC - This afternoon, three generations of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender veterans and advocates went back to the White House fence to call for the U.S. Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid, and President Obama to make good on their promises to secure the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" during the abbreviated, lame-duck session of Congress that started today.

During the direct action organized by GetEQUAL - a national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization - and local activists, 13 veterans and advocates handcuffed themselves to the White House fence in an act of non-violent, civil disobedience protesting the un-American, discriminatory law yet to be repealed by Congress -- regardless of the numerous promises by President Obama, Congressional leaders and national LGBT leaders that they would do so by the end of this year....

"On the White House fence today, and in a jail cell this evening, are thirteen American patriots," said Robin McGehee, co-founder and director of GetEQUAL. "Included in the thirteen arrested are veterans and advocates spanning three generations of brave and courageous Americans, who sacrificed their careers and lives to see the day this discriminatory ban on openly gay and lesbian service in the military finally goes into the history books. Today, we have sent a loud and clear message to the U.S. Senate and President Obama that we expect them to make good on their promises to end this inhumane law this year, during the lame-duck session of Congress."

"Today, I stand again at the White House fence - 17 years later - still protesting the injustice and hypocrisy of a failed law," said former U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Miriam Ben-Shalom. "And with us today is not only the spirit of Lieutenant Enslin, the first to be discharged from the U.S. Military for being gay, but also standing here in spirit are every young woman and man awaiting discharge under the shameful 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law. They are here and we are here, all together still America's daughters and sons, still willing to serve and protect this country. I sincerely pray our country's elected leaders in Congress and the White House will have the courage to repeal this law and make this the last time I have to come back to this fence and be arrested in protest of a law in direct contrast with our values and beliefs as Americans.